What the senators calling for Al Franken to resign are saying

Numerous Democratic senators and other political figures on Wednesday called for the resignation of Sen. Al Franken, DFL-Minn., after a former Democratic aide accused him of trying to force a kiss on her after a recording of his radio show in 2006. It is the latest in a slew of accusations against the senator. Franken emphatically denied the Democratic aide's claims.

Franken's Minnesota colleague, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, stopped short of calling for his resignation.

Here's what the senators calling for Franken to step down are saying. This list will continue to be updated.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.

"Obviously, there were new allegations today, and enough is enough. We need to draw a line in the sand and say none of it is OK, none of it is acceptable and we, as elected leaders, should absolutely be held to a higher standard."

Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.

Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif.

Sen. Mazie Hirono. D-Hawaii

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.

"Senator Franken should resign. I consider Senator Franken a dear friend and greatly respect his accomplishments, but he has a higher obligation to his constituents and the Senate, and he should step down immediately," the New York Times reports.

Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio

Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.

“I think he should resign,” Elizabeth Warren said in a statement put out by her staff, the Boston Globe reports. She did not elaborate.

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass.

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich.

Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.

“I am deeply disappointed by Senator Franken’s behavior. He must step aside. To all those across America who have come forward to share their stories over the past few months: thank you. Your courage and strength in driving this long-overdue national conversation is awe-inspiring. As national leaders, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard—and we must lead by example to ensure every person is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. This isn’t about Democrats or Republicans, it’s about our society. It’s about who we are as a people and the kind of country we want our daughters—and our sons—to grow up in.”

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.

"The increasing number of women coming forward suggests a pattern of repeated harassment and unacceptable behavior that is impossible to ignore. Senator Franken has denied some of these allegations and has the right to continue to seek a process through the Ethics Committee, but I believe the best course of action for him right now is to step down, as I expect he will do tomorrow," the Hartford Courant reports.

Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del.

Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J.

"These courageous women have come forward and I think clearly this last revelation adds to what seems to be a pattern here. That was enough to make me come to the conclusion that even though there is a process established, that desperately needs to be changed, it is is right that he should step down at this point," the Record reports.

Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.

Sen. Tom Udall, D-Utah.

Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine

"A big part of the national conversation we're having on sexual assault involves listening carefully and with respect to woman. I urge Sen. Franken to do just that: listen to the Senate's female leaders, and evaluate if he can continue to be an effect Senator for the people of Minnesota, given the growing number of allegations against him. For me, I think it's time for my friend to resign."

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine

"The latest allegation adds to a very disturbing list of allegations against Senator Franken. And I think it would be best for the Senate if he followed the advice of his Democratic colleagues," Collins said on CNN.

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